The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Chiropractic Department in conjunction with the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) have formed a mentorship programme known as the Chiropractic Coaching Mentorship Programme for first year students.

A launch event for the new programme was held at DUT Hotel School Conference Centre on 11 April 2019. The Chiropractic Coaching and Mentorship Programme is an integral of the First Year Student Experience (FYSE) initiative designed to nurture and support first year students from the Chiropractic Department in their transition from Secondary School into the institutions of Higher Learning. This initiative forms part of the holistic approach focusing mainly on academic, psycho-social and technological support for students through a series of seminars and projects aimed at developing students.

First year students, mentors, CELT representative – Mzwandile Khumalo, chiropractic academic and administrative staff were in attendance at the event. Dr Yomika Venketsamy, the head of the Mentorship Portfolio within the Chiropractic Department, and Mzwandile Khumalo, the CELT representative in charge of the First Year Student Experience initiative, have joined forces to guide first year chiropractic students through the maze of University life.

The Chiropractic Coaching programme aims to guide first years in time management, stress management, study skills and techniques, addressing burnout, addressing socialising, and introducing exercise and breathing techniques for stress as well as motivational videos.

Six senior chiropractic students were chosen to mentor the first years with the use of group coaching sessions throughout this year, 2019. The mentors, Alexander Mudge, Alexia Wolff, Shaista Singh, Sasha Lee King, Mary Ann Ruthnam and Shrishti Maharaj have held various positions within the chiropractic student body. Sasha Lee King was awarded the Golden Key Award and Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) Award for 2019 while Shrishti Maharaj was awarded the Clinic Excellence Award for 2019.

“These accomplished individuals have taken the time to mentor and motivate the first year class and provide them with a good grounding of what chiropractic student life will entail in the years to come,” added Dr Venketsamy.

Khumalo also provided information about the First Year Student Experience (FYSE) and on first year tutorial sessions that take place in the evenings on campus for various subjects. Guest speaker for the event was Dr Duncan Jack – a Chiropractor, who is well versed in the student survival strategies required for the Chiropractic course at DUT. His talk inspired and motivated the students to give their best in their studies. The DUT Chiropractic Department and CELT look forward to the new inter-departmental collaboration in being a success.

Pictured: The DUT chiropractic mentors chosen for 2019.

Dr Yomika Venketsamy